Simha continues to live on in the hearts of his ardent fans

Aptharakshaka starring late Dr Vishnuvardhan, has run for 25 weeks to packed crowds, makers of the film attribute its success to the late actor, who passed away just before the film was released on December 30, 2009.

Back then, Bangalore rose to fumes and his fans across cross sections of the society took to violent ways because they weren’t allowed to pay their last respect to the actor and singer.

On Saturday evening, Kanteerva Indoor Stadium was witness to a huge gathering as Dr Vishnuvardhan’s fans and Kannada film fraternity came together to re-live the moments with his movie clips and dialogues that were played at the stadium. Bharti Vishnuvardhan, the late actor’s wife was conspicuous in her absence.

There was a busy stream of fans at the stadium, even Mayor SK Nataraj came to pay his tribute. Those who had the opportunity to work alongside the star were present too – assistant directors, actors and artists from the Kannada film industry. They presented big and small statues of him. The actor’s life-size portrait drowned in the sea of garlands.

“His movies are in our heart,” said Venkatesh, a student and one of the many ardent fans of the late star, who claimed, “I can rattle any of the popular dialogues of all his films. Just name the film.”
Several auto-drivers, took time off city roads to join the celebration at the stadium. They mentioned how they have a picture of the legendary actor on their rikshaws. “I am happy that the organisers let us in,” said an overwhelmed D Raju, “I never missed any of his films, saving money to watch them in a theatre. I think hiscontribution to Kannada films can never be calculated and he will forever be the Simha for us.

Families of artists, cameramen, photographers, and others who worked with him in his films joined and enjoyed the function which continued late in the night. His fans in the stadium shouted, “Vishnu amara”, whistled and danced when popular songs and dance sequences were screened.

Every time dialogues from his films like Sahasa Simha, Jananayaka, Karunamayi, Hrudavantha, Deshpremi were screened, people jumped to applaud, enjoying his screen moments.

The crowd roared when parts of the movie, Aptharakshaka were enacted and his role in the film was appraised by the director of the film. All the artists of film come together to pay their tribute to him and danced and sing in joy. One had to be at the stadium to witness the excitement of his fans.

With tight police security, the entire function went on smoothly. However, some of the guests from Sandalwood left early after paying tribute by singing songs from Dr Vishnuvardhan’s hit films.